Okocha said that the situation in Rivers was moving towards a state of lawlessness with non-state actors brandishing sophisticated weapons before the declaration. While speaking on Thursday in Abuja, he said FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, contrary to speculations, was also involved in brokering peace in the state. He said that the President had made efforts to resolve the political crisis before the declaration of the emergency, but to no avail. Tinubu had declared a six months state of emergency on Rivers, citing political instability and troubling security reports.